[Weekender] When 1-year-olds learn coding

South Korean parents’ enthusiasm for child education goes back as far as the moment they are born. It is common for parents to wonder whether they are doing enough for their children, and whether they are giving them as many opportunities possible to ignite their hidden genius. Such is the sentiment that propels the infants and toddlers’ educative playthings markets in Korea, which now has toys for 1-year-olds to play with to learn how to code. The difference in the niche yet lucrative market fo

IndustryJan. 24, 2019

[Weekender] A seer’s guide to marriage

It is undeniable that many things in life are determined by the circumstances of one’s birth -- nationality, genetics and socioeconomic class not least of all. Added to that list, it was the three-hour window in which I was born in June 1985 that determined I’d be focused on justice and live a life defined by wanderlust. Similarly, the time of my partner’s birth almost exactly a year later decided she would be a “straightforward and simple” person who speaks her mind with a strong will. Moto Saj

CultureJan. 17, 2019

[Weekender] How does saju experience measure up?

Fortunetelling. Is it frivolous entertainment, or a glimpse of another dimension? And is the saju any different from other fortunetelling methods I’ve tried over the years? I had a chance to find out this past weekend. Since my dog passed away in 2016, I’ve asked fortunetellers about her with disappointing results. One long-distance psychic in Canada came highly recommended, but he charged me for an hourlong reading about my dog and emailed me a 10-minute audio recording that had nothing to do w

CultureJan. 17, 2019

[Weekender] Can ‘saju’ tell a person’s luck in a certain year? Believe it or not, Koreans think so

Whether you are a believer or a skeptic of divination, the following are questions you may ask a Korean “saju” reader: Is 2019 a good year to change jobs, start a business, or relocate to a new country? Will I meet “the one” this year? When is a good year to get married, if ever, and will I have a wholesome family? If I heighten my nose through plastic surgery, will my luck slide down my newly straightened nose bridge?Visiting a saju shop is easy. Compared to a “mudangjip,” the house of a shaman

CultureJan. 17, 2019

[Weekender] Apartments - a national obsession

Apartments are everywhere in Korea. The country’s first apartment block was built as housing for employees of a construction materials maker in 1956. At the time, this type of building was a sight most had only heard or read about. Apartment construction sites were unusual enough to warrant a visit by the president in the 1950s.Since then, apartments have become the most visible, preferred and coveted form of residence. The skylines of most major cities have long been dominated by apartment buil

Social AffairsJan. 10, 2019

[Weekender] How Seoul became apartment-ized

The success of high-rise apartment complexes has been a unique phenomenon in Seoul. Widely spread throughout the city, dense apartment complexes have shaped Seoul, more than a third of whose residents live in apartments.A 1977 photo shows one of the early apartment complexes build in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. (Seoul Museum of History)In Europe and the US, particularly after the War ll, the need for housing drastically increased. Modern architects such as Le Corbusier pioneered in developing

Social AffairsJan. 10, 2019

[Weekender] Surging apartment prices frustrate Seoul residents

When looking down at Seoul up in the sky, the capital is filled with square-shaped apartment clusters and gray sky-high office buildings.South Korea’s rapid economic development centered on Seoul has made the country’s capital one of the most populous cities in the world, with skyrocketing housing prices.Over-the-top housing prices have become a major social problem here, amid widespread public outcry for the government to tackle the issue. Among various types of housing in the nation, apartment

Social AffairsJan. 10, 2019

[Weekender] Upscale apartments change thoughts on multi-unit dwellings

Apartments have long been considered a symbol of the concrete jungle. No matter which part of a Korean city you are in, the scenery is the same, with stacks of gray and ivory apartment buildings surrounding you.While it has been around 30 years since apartments became a common form of housing, there has been little change in the design. The height may have increased, but the essential structure has remained the same -- tall concrete buildings without personality or a sense of creativeness. In re

CultureJan. 10, 2019

[Weekender] A new year dreaming of abundance

It cannot be explained scientifically in today’s hypermodern society. But for hundreds of years, Koreans have pinned high hopes on the new year by reinterpreting the symbolic significance of each of the 12 zodiac animals. And this year, Koreans celebrate the Year of the Pig, which symbolizes abundance, luck and fecundity. According to Chinese astrology, the pig is the 12th animal in the 12-year zodiac cycle, and it is a good year to make money and build one’s fortune -- just like the plump image

IndustryJan. 3, 2019

[Weekender] Which celebs were born in the Year of the Pig?

The Year of the Golden Pig falls once every 60 years and is associated with wealth and good fortune. So it looks like 2019 could be a lucky year. People born this year have the pig as their Chinese zodiac animal. The Year of the Pig comes every 12 years, so this is a special year for anyone born in 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959 or 1947.Here are some of the most famous public figures in South Korea who were born in the Year of the Pig.V (BTS), singer, 1995V, a member of K-pop sensation BTS, was bo

TelevisionJan. 3, 2019

[Weekender] Top 10 news stories

From rapid changes in inter-Korean relations and the unprecedented US-North Korea summit to a Korean boy band becoming a global sensation, 2018 was a year full of unexpected developments.These are the top 10 news stories from 2018.[2018 national top news stories]Inter-Korean summits  This year saw inter-Korean relations thaw, with three summits between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Kim also met with US President Donald Trump in Singapore for the first-ever US-North K

Social AffairsDec. 27, 2018

[Weekender] Ski resorts turning attention to nonskiers

For those who don’t enjoy skiing, annual family ski trips can be quite dull. But in recent years, ski resorts in South Korea have found an ironic yet new target group -- nonskiers. Major resorts here are trying to come up with fresh ideas every winter, slowly transitioning into “theme parks,” where everyone can spend quality time. The Vivaldi Park resort, located about 60 kilometers east of Seoul in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, has been frequented by locals and tourists for over two decades. Wit

TravelDec. 20, 2018

[Weekender] Winter sports season is upon us

When snowflakes flutter down from the skies, out come the snowboards, the skis, the goggles and the overpriced parka you swore was worth it.The winter season is here, and it’s prime time for outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding, sledding and ice skating. All over the country, both the young and the young at heart are seeking out traditional and nontraditional winter sports. Some are following newer trends like VR and indoor winter sports. (123rf)Two winters ago, Seoul Square in Jung-g

TravelDec. 20, 2018

[Weekender] Don’t let the cold stop you: indoor winter sports

As the temperature drops, it becomes harder to get out of bed. The cold is particularly taxing for sports enthusiasts because tense muscles could make them more susceptible to injuries. Don’t even mention the biting cold and the ear-numbing winds.But for sporty souls, the cold is but a minor hurdle, as some skiers, snowboarders and skaters opt to enjoy their favorite winter sports in a cozy indoors environment. For adrenaline addicts who hate the cold, there are sports facilities that bring the

More SportsDec. 20, 2018

[Weekender] Winter is colder for the poor

Winter is hitting society’s neediest the hardest.The National Weather Agency issued this year’s first “extreme cold” warning in the second weekend of December, when the lows fell below minus 10 degrees Celsius in Seoul for two consecutive days.As winter approaches its peak, subzero temperatures persist day after day. The weather agency says the coldest month of the year in Korea is January, when the temperature lows average minus 6. The cold wave sweeping the Peninsula is especially harsh on tho

Social AffairsDec. 13, 2018

[Weekender] Jjimjilbang: Sanctuaries of winter warmth

The freezing temperatures may make some want to climb into bed and snuggle deep under the covers, but for Koreans it is time to lay their backs on heated floors. The ideal place is a jjimjilbang, a Korean-style sauna that incorporates two traditional heating systems. The “ondol” -- heated floors -- and “gama” -- heated kilns akin to typical sauna rooms -- offer comfort in the cold weather.  Dragon Hill Spa in Seoul (Dragon Hill Spa)The origin of jjimjilbang can be traced back to the Joseon era.

Social AffairsDec. 13, 2018

[Weekender] Survival guide: How to battle winter’s chill

After a drizzly day in early December that pushed temperatures in Seoul well below minus 10 degrees Celsius, office worker Lee Ja-yoon, 30, finally finished preparing her house for the full-fledged winter chill likely to last at least through February. Lee started with her wardrobe. She took out the wool coats and replaced them with a long padded coat -- the ankle-length garments became ubiquitous in Korea during last winter’s biting cold -- as well as thermal underwear, fur-lined leggings and g

CultureDec. 13, 2018

[Weekender] Massage no longer taboo or luxury

In South Korea, the image of massage services has long been negative, viewed in relation to illicit sexual service providers. Either that, or massages were seen as the prerogative of the elite at posh and luxurious spas.Now, with growing interest in health services amid increasingly sedentary lifestyles and the consequent branching out of massage to become more affordable and accessible, it has become a common way to relieve stress and pain for many Korean urbanites. In Seoul, you can easily fin

CultureDec. 6, 2018

[Weekender] Dropping in for a quick massage in Seoul: Is it worth it?

In most neighborhoods in Seoul, it’s easy to spot signs and posters advertising “massage shops.” Varying in type and pricing, these massage parlors cater primarily to office workers who work desk jobs and are looking for ways to unwind their stiff or aching bodies.　Though most are independently owned, a number of franchise massage brands, such as Body & Foot and The Foot Shop, have grown in popularity for their widespread accessibility and affordability. At these shops, a standard full-body mass

IndustryDec. 6, 2018

[Weekender] Market for massage expands with more accessibility

To tackle pain in her back and hip, graduate school student Lee Yeon-hee uses a lacrosse ball every night to give herself a massage. “After rolling my back on this small massage ball for about 10 minutes, I can feel that the muscles are relaxed. I save both time and money by doing this simple exercise every night,” she said.Lee is one of a growing number of people purchasing massage products that can be used at home. According to online shopping website G-market, sales of such products jumped 40

IndustryDec. 6, 2018